Abstract

Great attention was paid to develop new eco-friendly “green” materials with growing environmental awareness in recent years. Composites of environmental friendly reinforcements and resins that provide high performance at affordable costs are in continuous progress. In this work, completely biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS) based matrix was reinforced with Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and date palm fibers (DPFs) individually with different HNTs weight fractions (2.5 to 10 wt. %) in order to investigate their effect on composite mechanical properties. HNTs and DPFs were then combined to reinforce TPS- based matrix at the optimum fiber weight content. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was obtained by blending native corn starch with glycerin and water. The plasticized starch was emulsified before being added to the previously bleached and NaOH-treated date palm fibers. The composites were preheated and then hot pressed at 5 MPa and 160oC for 30 minutes. FTIR spectra showed the increase in hydrogen bonds formation to all HNTs and DPFs composites. FE-SEM investigation showed strong adhesion at HNTs and fiber-matrix interface and good fibers wettability. Static tensile and flexural mechanical properties (stiffness and strength) of the composites appeared to markedly increased with the HNTs fraction increase until 7.5 and 5 wt. % for HNTs/TPS nanocomposites and HNTs/DPFs/TPS nanocomposites respectively. Also the composite stability was improved in thermal degradation, water uptake tests by the addition of HNTs and increasing its content. The results showed that composites mechanical properties improved by adding HNTs until certain wt. % content because above it the HNTs aggregate and adversely affect the mechanical properties. Such nanocomposites have competitive properties, qualifying these materials to be inexpensive and appropriate alternatives for various applications.

Department

Nanotechnology Program

Degree Name

MS in Nanotechnology

Graduation Date

2-1-2019

Submission Date

September 2018

First Advisor

Aly, Mohamed Fawzy

Committee Member 1

Nasef, Ashraf

Committee Member 2

Hegazi, Hisham

Extent

120 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

Comments

I would like to thank Allah for helping me to accomplish this work. I would like to show my gratitude to my advisor Associate Prof. Dr. Mohammed Fawzy for his guidance and support because this thesis would not have been possible unless him. I also wish to express my appreciation to the foresight and guidance of Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Farag. I have to express my appreciation to Prof. Dr. Amal Esawi the Nanotechnology program director in American University in Cairo. In addition, I would like to thank Eng. Dina Foud for his advices and laboratory assistance. I am also grateful to Eng. Jilan Elhennawy the manager of Mechanical department laboratories in American University in Cairo (AUC) and showed an enthusiasm for cooperation. Lastly, I offer my regards and blessings to my family, friends and colleagues for their support.

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